A Life Story

Jack B. Phillips, Jr., 82, of Savannah, Georgia, passed away July 14, 2026, with his wife, Mollie, by his side. Born October 27, 1943, in Greensboro, North Carolina, he spent most of his youth in North Augusta, South Carolina before moving to Savannah shortly after college in 1968 where he and Mollie soon adopted the city as home. Jack graduated from Clemson University with a Civil Engineering degree and later added a Master's degree from North Carolina State University and was a lifelong Tiger. He spent a long and successful career as a geotechnical engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Savannah where he led the Geotechnical and Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste Branch. During this time, he was awarded the Department of the Army’s Commander’s Award for Civilian Service. Many of his most cherished lifelong relationships were formed during his career. He was extraordinarily well-read, a student of history, a talented woodworker, an avid fisherman, a nineteen-year cancer survivor, a long-time member of the Forest City Gun Club and a doting grandfather. He was preceded in death by his father, Jack B. Phillips, Sr. and his mother, Katherine Ravesies Phillips. He is survived by his brother, Steve Phillips (Dianne) of North Augusta, South Carolina, sister, Kathy Speed (Ed) of Rock Hill, South Carolina, son, Jon Phillips (Lauren) of Charlotte, North Carolina, daughter, Katie Ellis (Brian) of Springfield, Virginia as well as grandchildren Jack Phillips, Ben Phillips and Kate Phillips of Charlotte, North Carolina and Ruthie and Ann Ellis of Springfield, Virginia to whom he was known affectionately as “Dadaddy." Jack overcame the debilitating spine disease Ankylosing Spondylitis which he fought for most of his life beginning in his late teens. Anyone wishing to contribute to further the quest to cure this disease and to empower those affected by it may do so at: https://spondylitis.org/get-involved/donate/ The family will receive friends Saturday, July 18, 2026, 10 o'clock until 11 o'clock in the morning at White Bluff Methodist Church, 11911 White Bluff Rd., Savannah. Funeral services will follow at 11 o'clock with The Reverend Dr. Barry Giddens officiating. Interment in Forest Lawn Memory Garden, Savannah.